Ricciardo is set to lose his McLaren drive for next year with current Alpin🦄e F1 junior Oscar Piastri in the frame to be Lando Norris’ teammate.

The news comes after a series of announcements, triggered by Sebastian Vettel’s surprise retirement ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix and Aston🦩 Martin quickly replacing him with Fernando 𒁏Alonso for 2023.

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Shortly after, Alpine announced Piastri as Alonso’s replacement but the 2021 F2 champion denied that 🔯he would be driving for the French outfit next year, hinting that ไh👍e had found another drive elsewhere.

However, Ricciardo’s contract runs until the end of 2023, with no escape clauses in his current contract, Speedcafe reports.

With the power on Ricciardo’s side, McLaren might have to pay h🎀im off to terminate the contract a year early.

Speedcafe also reports that if Ricciardo is able to secure a drive for ꦇnext year (should his McLaren contract be terminated), McLaren would be refunded whatever he earns with𓆏 his new team.

The Australian has been 🧸tipped to return to Alpine after spending two seasons wit🉐h the Enstone outfit in 2019 and 2020.

Ricciardo enjoyed one of his best season♐s in F1 during his final year with the team, finishing on the podium twice.

The Ricciardo saga is the crucial cog as 16🍸8澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:the 2023 F1 driver line-up takes shape.

He is reportedly paid £12.2m by McLaren for this season, making him the joint-fifth hi🅘ghest earner on the grid.

Piastri case could end up in high court

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer says the team could seek millions in compensation if Piastri refuses🐼 to drive for the team.

Alpine has already been i🧔n ꩵcontact with the FIA’s contract recognition board but may take it one step further.

“Going to the High Court is over 90% certain that's what we'll do,” he told Reuters.

“If the CRB says 'your licence is only v🗹alid at Alpine', and then he (Piastri) says 'that's great but I'm never driving for them, I'll just sit out a year', then you've got to go to the High Court for compensation.”